Micro-drive array for chronic in vivo recording: drive fabrication

Area of Science:

• Neuroscience
• Neurophysiology
• Bioengineering

Background:

• Chronic recording of large neuronal populations is crucial for understanding neuronal circuit function in awake, behaving animals.
• Existing lightweight recording devices with high-density tetrode arrays enable simultaneous monitoring of tens to hundreds of individual neurons.

Purpose of the Study:

• To describe a protocol for fabricating a micro-drive array with independently movable micro-drives for chronic neural recordings.
• To detail the construction of a 3-D printed base and the assembly of the micro-drive array.

Main Methods:

• Fabrication of a custom-designed, 3-D printed plastic base to house micro-drives.
• Construction and assembly of an array featuring twenty-one independently movable micro-drives.
• Protocol covers preparation of the base and micro-drive assembly; tetrode preparation and implantation are detailed separately.

Main Results:

• Successful fabrication and assembly of a novel micro-drive array.
• The device has been successfully used for chronic recordings from hippocampal and cortical neurons in rats.
• Demonstrates a feasible method for creating a high-density, independently adjustable micro-drive system.

Conclusions:

• The described protocol provides a method for constructing a versatile micro-drive array for chronic neural recordings.
• This technology facilitates the simultaneous monitoring of large neuronal populations, aiding in the study of brain function.
• The fabricated device is suitable for implantation in rodent brains for hippocampal and cortical recordings.